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CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Objective

Starting from existing atom micromanipulation techniques we will develop a simple quantum information processor using neutral atoms on an atom chip. Quantum Information Processing (QIP) by neutral atom manipulation on integrated micro-devices (Atom Chips) combines the best of both worlds: On the one hand, the tools of quantum optics with its high precision neutral atom manipulation of internal and external degrees of freedom (with long coherence times) and on the other hand, the vast technology of micro-fabrication and integrated optics which will permit optical and electronic elements to be combined on the same chip.Miniaturization, scalability and integration of optics for manipulation and measurement, and electronics for readout. We will study the underlying fundamental physics, including qubit preparation, qubit readout, one qubit manipulation, 2 qubit gates and the central issue of decoherence. Starting from existing atom micromanipulation techniques we will develop a simple quantum information processor using neutral atoms on an atom chip. Quantum Information Processing (QIP) by neutral atom manipulation on integrated micro-devices (Atom Chips) combines the best of both worlds: On the one hand, the tools of quantum optics with its high precision neutral atom manipulation of internal and external degrees of freedom (with long coherence times) and on the other hand, the vast technology of micro-fabrication and integrated optics which will permit optical and electronic elements to be combined on the same chip.Miniaturization, scalability and integration of optics for manipulation and measurement, and electronics for readout. We will study the underlying fundamental physics, including qubit preparation, qubit readout, one qubit manipulation, 2 qubit gates and the central issue of decoherence.

OBJECTIVESThe key objective of this consortium is to execute the basic steps needed for quantum information processing using neutral atoms on an atom chip: Build an elementary qubit processor and execute quantum gates. Integrated in one single nano-fabricated atom chip, we will combine atom networks (in electric, light and magnetic potentials), light networks (in solid wave guides and band gap crystals), and electronics (for pre-amplification and readout), to enable construction of one compact and self-sufficient device. On the way we will study different ways to implement a qubit, and loading, manipulation and readout schemes, with special emphasis on measuring and controlling its decoherence. At the end we will assess atom chip technology with respect to its applicability to building QIP devices with special emphasis on the scalability and massive parallelism achievable with nano-fabricated devices.

DESCRIPTION OF WORKStarting from our present activities in micro manipulation of atoms close to surfaces we will further combine our expertise in the fields of experimental and theoretical quantum optics, nano-fabrication technology and integrated micro optics. Our research will concentrate on developing the components of an integrated atom chip on a broad basis, which will then be applied to atom manipulation and QIP. Our main focus will be:- Further developing micro traps and guides, based on surface mounted charged and current carrying and optical nano-structures, and shrinking them to the ultimate limit determined by atom surface interactions and decoherence. Emphasis being on creating the optimal microscopic trap for qubit storage and manipulation;- Develop an integrated and efficient qubit detector on the atom chip by adapting and developing various techniques from standard quantum optics;- Controlled loading of micro traps with qubits. The qubit can thereby be defined by an internal state (hyperfine level) or an external (motional) state of an atom;- To study the decoherence mechanisms for the different qubits in different micro-traps and learn how to control or prevent decoherence;- One qubit rotations, and study their robustness;- Entangling 2-qubits in micro traps;-Basic atom chip quantum processor;- Gaining deeper theoretical understanding of the physics involved in QIP in the specific context of micro traps. Emphasis will be put on issues of decoherence, stability and the specifics of massive parallelism made possible by calculations of the processes and imperfections in atom chip device;- Assessing the possibilities of a final atom chip quantum processor for the various aspects of QIP ranging from small devices like a repeater for quantum communication to scaleable and massively parallel designs.